High resolution cryo-electron microscopy for biological macromolecules. 1989

Y Fujiyoshi

The irradiation damage of the crystals of proteins as well as nucleic acid is reduced almost exponentially even below the liquid nitrogen temperature down to 8K provided that the specimen area under illumination is cooled down. A cryo-stage cooled by superfluid helium is designed for the high resolution electron microscope based on the idea of the helium evaporation refrigerator with a capillary which was developed by Delong et al. We also developed a new top-entry-type cryo-transfer system for this superfluid cryo-electron microscope. The images of chlorinated Cu-phthalocyanine are taken to estimate the resolution attainable by this cryo-stage at 1.5 K with accelerating voltage of 400 kV. The optical diffraction confirms the resolution of 0.26 nm. The complexes of rec A proteins and DNA molecule are clearly visible in vitreous ice. A new membrane structure of the influenza virus is observed in the case of influenza A virus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D009696 Nucleic Acids High molecular weight polymers containing a mixture of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides chained together by ribose or deoxyribose linkages. Nucleic Acid,Acid, Nucleic,Acids, Nucleic
D011506 Proteins Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein. Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D005615 Freezing Liquids transforming into solids by the removal of heat. Melting

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